Windmill and advertising structure



April 1949- F. E. WHISLER, ET AL 2,466,787

WINDMILL AND ADVERTISING STRUCTURE Filed April '7, 1947' INVENTQIRS, 50/705 [game/V675 /e/- g ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 12, 1949 UNITED WINDMILL AND ADVERTISING STRUCTURE Francis Eugene Whisler, Los Angeles, Calif., and Harry G. Whisler, Kansas City, Kans.

Application April 7, 1942, Serial No. 739,746

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to advertising apparatus and more particularly to apparatus of the character wherein the force of wind is utilized to drive attention-commanding mechanism used in comblnation with advertising display.

It is well known in the advertising art that animated or movable signs draw the attention of prospective buyers much more readily than stationary signs.

The principal object of this invention is, therefore, to provide in connection with an advertising display, a movable mechanism so constructed that its unique character of movements will draw the attention of the eye even though at a considerable distance from the display and maintain it until the information of the advertisement has been transmitted to the observer.

A further aim of the invention is to provide advertising mechanism of the aforementioned character that will require a minimum amount of driving force for its operation so that periods of dormancy, due to insufficiently strong winds, will be reduced to the minimum.

Further objects of the invention will appear during the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of advertising apparatus constructed in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the vanes showing the same entirely removed from the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the vane shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a wind whee'l embodying a modified form of the invention.

In the drawing, the numeral 8 designates a support in the nature of a standard which is anchored in the ground to hold the movable portions of the advertising apparatus high enough where the same will be struck by any wind currents and further where it may be easily observed.

It is contemplated that support 8 carry a panel upon which advertising media may be marked, and such panel may be of any form and placed in any position upon support 8 so long as the rotating wind wheel and the planet wheels car ried thereby, do not "pass across the face of the panel to obscure the media thereon.

An elongated arm I having a plate l2 on one end thereof is pivotally secured to support 8 intermediate the ends of arm Ill through the medium of a bolt l4. Support 8 has a fiat head l6 on the uppermost end thereof for slidably receiving a flat extension "3 on arm I0. Bolt I4 passes through openings formed in head 6, extension l8 and arm II] to threadably receive a washer 26 and a nut 22 on the uppermost end thereof.

The main wind wheel which is generally designated by the numeral 34, comprises a plurality of radial arms 36 each of which is preferably made of plastic or some light material and formed in a special manner so as to present a beveled portion 38 extending from the outermost face end thereof to the hub 24 of wheel 34. Hub 24 of wheel 34 is centrally perforated (as shown in Fig. 5) for receiving a shaft 26 threaded into the end of arm ll! opposite to the plate I2. If desired, a bearing may be placed on shaft 26 to permit easy rotation of wheel 34. The beveled portion 38 of each arm 36 has a vane 40 secured thereto and project rearwardly and outwardly from the arm toward the axis of rotation of wind wheel 34. These vanes are narrower than the length of arms 36 and terminate along a line spaced from the projected plane of the proximal side of the adjacent arm and in a free end 4| parallel to a plane through the axis of wheel 34. Thus, when wind currents strike main wind wheel 34, one face of beveled portion 38 and the front inclined face of vane 40 present areas great enough to receive a driving force from the air currents. The angle of inclination of vanes 40 is such as to utilize air currents of small velocity.

Each arm 36 has a sleeve 42 thereon at the free end thereof, the forward face of which is in a plane parallel to the major plane of wind wheel 34. On each sleeve 42 of each arm 36 is positioned a planet Wheel 44 for rotation about a pintle 4.6 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of wind wheel 34. Pintles 46 pass through the respective sleeve 42 and through an opening formed in arm 36 and carry a pair of nuts 43 and 45, arm 36 and sleeve 42 being clamped therebetween with wheel 44 free to rotate on pintle 46. A bearing maybe used if desired within the hubs of wheels 44 to aid in free rotation thereof.

When the advertising apparatus is viewed from the front, its appearance willxbe as shown in Fig. 1, and when air currents are operating wind wheel 34 and planet wheels 44, the effect is that of attracting the attention so that the advertising media on a panel fixed to supportB will not be overlooked by the observer.

direction as wheel 34.

Planet wheels 44 may be in the nature of oppositely twisted blades or wind paddles, such as shown in Fig. l, or multi-blade wheels 48, such as illustrated in Fig. 5. In either instance, the Wheels or blades 44 and 48 form an epicyclie train rotatably carried by main wind wheel 34 and arranged to rotate about their axes in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said wheel 34.

It is contemplated however that these blades 44 or 48 may be twisted oppositely to that shown to the end that these blades rotate in the same By so doing a still different design or figure is created when the operating device is viewed from the front.

In actual practice, it is desirable to form arms 36, blades 40 and wheels 44 as well as disc portions 50 at the free ends of blades 44 and 48 from plastic or the like in variegated colors thereby accenting the power of the wheels to command the attention of passers-by.

The principle followed by constructing an advertising apparatus such as illustrated in Fig. 1 may be carried out by providing the free ends of planet wheels 44 with an additional rotatable blade or wheel that rotates about an axis opposite to the direction of rotation of the planet wheels 44, which supports the same, all to the end that unusual actions on the part of the assembly carried by support 8 will serve to attract the attention to advertising matter thereon.

The form of vanes 40and their position on wind wheel 34 is such as to present .to the observer standing in front of the device, an area at the wheel center that appears to be solid rather than made up of rearwardly inclined elements in the nature of these vanes 40. This apparently solid center removes wind wheel 34 from a character like that usually assumed by wind wheels or wind mills and even one skilled in this art would arrive at the conclusion that main wind wheel 34 is driven by a motor or some force other than wind currents.

It is obvious from the foregoing that the unique arrangement of movable parts at the head of support 8 would attract attention and arouse the curiosity to such an extent that the gaze of the observer will be arrested and manifestly directed to advertising matter carried thereby. The advertising media being so close to the attractive movable parts gives assurance that it will definitely be seen by every passer-by.

It has been found through use of devices of this character that high wind velocities are extremely damaging to the vanes 40 unless some means is provided to permit passing of such high winds. To this end, each of the vanes 48 is formed from a pair of sections 52 and 544 hingedly interconnected as at 56. Section 52 is secured to the respective arm 36 at one end thereof and carries a portion of the barrel hinge 56 at its opposite end.

A pair of loops 58 and B are struck from one face of the sections 52 and 54 respectively for slidably receiving a pair of elongated springs 62 and 64. These springs 62 and 64 are disposed on the face of vanes 40 against which the currents of air are to be directed and extend across the hinge 56. It is clear therefore that winds of great velocity (depending upon the relative strengths of springs 62 and 64) will cause buckling of vanes 48 against the action of the springs, as illustrated in Fig. 4, and permit free passage of such wind through the wheel 34. Damage to vanes 48 will be obviated and upon cessation of such velocities,

springs 62 and 64 will return section 54 to the extended position.

In addition to the different type of planet wheels :18 in the form shown in Fig. 5, this modification utilizes but one pair of beveled arms 38 extending radially from hub 24 in opposite directions. The vanes 63 shown in Fig. 5- take a substantially triangular shape, having curved edges converging in a pointed free end remote from the respective arm 36. Many other designs may be utilized different from vanes 40 or 6.5 to the end that a pleasing and unique effect is seen when viewed from the front of the Windmill during operation.

Advantages of apparatus embodying this invention are apparent and while the preferred forms have been illustrated and described, it is desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1; In an advertising structure adapted for use in the open where natural wind currents may operate the parts thereof, a standard having a horizontal element swingably carried thereby; a wheel having a plurality of radial arms, each provided with beveled surfaces, said wheel being mounted on the element for free, unitary rotation in a substantially vertical plane; an extension vane on each of said arms respectively, each vane being disposed in the same plane as the corresponding beveled surface; and a number of members, each having a plurality of planet blades, there being a member rotatably carried by each of said arms respectively, all of said planet blades having beveled surfaces disposed to rotate the members about their axes in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel.

2. In an advertising structure adapted for use in the open where natural wind currents may operate the parts thereof, a standard having a horizontal element swingably carried thereby; a wheel having a plurality of radial arms, each provided with beveled surfaces, said wheel being mounted on the element for free, unitary rotation in a substantially vertical plane; an extension vane on each of said arms respectively, each vane being disposed in the same plane as the corresponding beveled surface; and a number of members, each having a plurality of planet blades, there being a member rotatably carried by each of said arms respectively, all of said planet blades having beveled surfaces disposed to rotate the members about their axes in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel, said extension vanes being arranged to present a continuous circumscribing structure when viewed from in front of the structure.

3. In an advertising structure adapted for use in the open where natural wind currents may operate the parts thereof, a standard having a horizontal element swingabl-y carried thereby; a wheel having a plurality of radial arms, each provided with beveled surfaces, said wheel being mounted on the element for free, unitary rotation in a substantially vertical plane; an extension vane on each of said arms respectively, each vane being disposed in the same plane as the correspending beveled surface; and a number of mem bers, each having a plurality of planet blades, there being a member rotatably carried by each of saidarms respectively, all of said planet blades having beveled surfaces disposed to rotate the members about their axes in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel, said extension vanes being arranged to present a continuous circumscribing structure when viewed from in front of the structure, the combined area of the beveled surfaces and said vanes being greater than the combined area of the planet blades whereby when wind currents rotate the wheel and the planet blades, the thrust of the blades does not overcome the rotation of the wheel.

4. In an advertising structure adapted for use in the open where natural wind currents may operate the parts thereof, a standard having a horizontal element swingabl carried thereby; a wheel having a plurality of radial arms, each provided with beveled surfaces, said wheel being mounted on the element for free, unitary rotation in a substantially vertical plane; an extension vane on each of said arms respectively, each vane being disposed in the same plane as the corresponding beveled surface; a number of members, each having a plurality of planet blades, there being a member rotatably carried by each of said arms respectively, all of said planet blades having beveled surfaces disposed to rotate the members about their axes in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel, said vanes each comprising a pair of hingedly joined sections; and means for yieldably holding the sections against relative swinging movement in one direction on said hinge.

5. In an advertising structure adapted for use in the open where natural wind currents may operate the parts thereof, a standard having a horizontal element swingably carried thereby; a wheel having a plurality of radial arms, each provided with beveled surfaces, said wheel being mounted on the element for free, unitary rotation in a substantially vertical plane; an extension vane on each of said arms respectively, each vane being disposed in the same plane as the corresponding beveled surface; a number of members, each having a plurality of planet blades, there being a member rotatably carried by each of said arms respectively, all of said planet blades having beveled surfaces disposed to rotate the members about their axes in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel, said vanes each comprising a pair of hingedly joined sections; and means for yieldably holding the sections against relative swinging movement in one direction on said hinge, said means serving to rigidly hold the sections against relative swinging movement in the opposite direction on said hinge.

6. In an advertising structure adapted for use in the open where natural wind currents may operate the parts thereof, a standard having a horizontal element swingably carried thereby; a wheel having a plurality of radial arms, each provided with beveled surfaces, said wheel being mounted on the element for free, unitary rotation in a substantially vertical plane; an extension vane on each of said arms respectively, each vane being disposed in the same plane as the corresponding beveled surface; a number of members, each having a plurality of planet blades, there being a member rotatably carried by each of said arms respectively, all of said planet blades having beveled surfaces disposed to rotate the members about their axes in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel, said vanes each comprising a pair of hingedly joined sections; and means for yieldably holding the sections against relative swinging movement in one direction on said hinge, said means serving to rigidly hold the sections against relative swinging movement in the opposite direction on said hinge, said means comprising at least one elongated spring slidably secured to one face of each section.

7. In an advertising structure adapted for use in the open where natural wind currents may operate the parts thereof, a standard having a horizontal element swingably carried thereby; a wheel having a plurality of radial arms, each provided with beveled surfaces, said wheel being mounted on the element for free, unitary rotation in a substantially vertical plane; an extension vane on each of said arms respectively, each vane being disposed in the same plane as the corresponding beveled surface; a number of members, each having a plurality of planet blades, there being a member rotatably carried by each of said arms respectively, all of said planet blades having beveled surfaces disposed to rotate the members about their axes in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel, said vanes each comprising a pair of hingedly joined sections; and means for yieldably holding the sections against relative swinging movement in one direction on said hinge, said means serving to rigidly hold the sections against relative swinging movement in the opposite direction on said hinge, said means comprising at least one elongated spring slidably secured to one face of each section, said spring being secured to the sections on each side of the hinge and intersecting the hinge intermediate the ends thereof.

8. In an advertising structure adapted for use in the open where natural wind currents may operate the parts thereof, a standard having a horizontal element swingably carried thereby; a Wheel having a plurality of radial arms, each provided with beveled surfaces, said wheel being mounted on the element for free, unitary rotation in a substantially vertical plane, an extension vane on each of said arms respectively, each vane being disposed in the same plane as the corresponding beveled surface; a number of members, each having a lurality of planet blades, there being a member rotatably carried by each of said arms respectively, all of said planet blades having beveled surfaces disposed to rotate the members about their axes in directions opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel, said vanes each comprising a pair of hingedly joined sections; means for yieldably holding the sections against relative swinging movement in one direction on said hinge, said means serving to rigidly hold the sections against relative swinging movement in the opposite direction on said hinge, said means comprising at least one elongated spring slidably secured to one face of each section, said spring being secured to the sections on each side of the hinge and intersecting the hinge intermediate the ends thereof; and means on said element for holding the wheel in a position facing the direction of travel of said wind currents, said one direction of swinging movement of one of the sections being the same as the said direction of travel of the wind currents.

FRANCIS EUGENE WHISLER. HARRY G. WHISLER.

No references cited. 

